Mahone Bay Water Utility Schedule of Rates (NSUARB Order 2019, Schedules A-C)
Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia
· adopted 2019-11-01
· summary & facts
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ORDER
M09200
NOVA SCOTIA UTILITY AND REVIEW BOARD
IN THE MATTER OF THE PUBLIC UTILITIES ACT
- and -
IN THE MATTER OF AN APPLICATION of the TOWN OF MAHONE BAY, on behalf of
its WATER UTILITY, for Approval of Amendments to its Schedule of Rates and Charges
for Water and Water Services and its Schedule of Rules and Regulations
BEFORE:
phen T. McGrath, LL.B., Member
ORDER
WHEREAS the Town of Mahone Bay, on behalf of the Mahone Bay Water
Utility, applied to the Board for approval to amend its Schedule of Rates and Charges for
Water and Water Services and its Schedule of Rules and Regulations;
AND WHEREAS after due public notice, a hearing was held on August 22,
2019, and the Board issued its Decision on October 30, 2019;
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Schedule of Rates and Charges
received by the Board on September 3, 2019, and attached hereto as Schedules "A", "B"
and "C", be approved for Water and Water Services supplied on and after November 1,
2019, April 1,2020, and April 1,2021 respectively;
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that public fire protection charge in 2019/20 is
to be prorated based on seven months at the current rate and five months at the new
rate;
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Schedule of Rules and Regulations
received by the Board on September 3, 2019, and attached hereto as Schedule "D", be
approved effective November 1, 2019.
DATED at Halifax, Nova Scotia, this 1st day of November, 2019.
Clerk of the Board
Document: 272216
SCHEDULE "A"
iX TOWN OF MAHONE BAY WATER UTILITY
SCHEDULE OF RATES FOR WATER AND WATER SERVICES
(Effective for water supplied on and after 1 November 2019)
RATES
The rates set out below are the rates approved by the Board for water and water services when
payment is made within 30 days from the date rendered as shown on the bill.
When payment is made after 30 days from the date rendered as shown on the bill, the rates will
include interest charges of 1.25 % per month, or part thereof.
Each bill shall show the amount payable within 30 days from the date rendered as shown on the
bill.
In this Schedule, the word "Utility" means the Water Utility of the Town of Mahone Bay.
1.
RATES:
(a) Base Charges
Bi Monthly
Monthly
Unmetered (based on 4360 gallons bimonthly)
134.51
67.25
Size of Meter
5/8"
3/4"
1"
1.5"
2"
3"
4"
6"
(b) Consumption Rate
$
73.14
36.57
107.21
53.61
175.36
87.68
345.72
172.86
550.15
275.07
1,095.30
547.65
1,708.60
854.30
3,412.20
1,706.10
14.08 per 1000 gallons
(c) Minimum Bill
The minimum bill shall be the Base Charge.
2.
PUBLIC FIRE PROTECTION RATE
The Town of Mahone Bay shall pay annually to the water utility for fire protection on or
before November 30, 2019 the sum of $119,051.
Document No. 271495
3.
RATES FOR SPRINKLER SERVICE
Each building having a sprinkler system installed shall pay annually for the service as
follows:
Each building serviced by a sprinkler service
pipe of 6" or less in diameter
$200.00
Each building serviced by a sprinkler service
pipe of 8" or more in diameter
$250.00
4.
WATER FOR BUILDINGS OR WORKS UNDER CONSTRUCTION
The Utility may furnish water to any person requiring a supply thereof for the construction
of a building or other works. This person shall deposit with the Utility such sum as may
be determined by the Utility as is sufficient to defray the cost of making the necessary
connection to any water service or main together with the cost of the meter to be installed
to measure the water consumed. Upon completion of the work and the return of the
meter to the Utility, a refund will be made after deducting the cost, if any, of repairing the
meter and of testing the same and payment of the base and connection charges and the
consumption rates in respect to such installation.
5.
PRIVATE HYDRANT RATES
Per hydrant per year $200.00.
6.
RATES FOR WATER SUPPLIED FROM FIRE HYDRANTS
Whenever the use of any fire hydrant is desired for supplying water for any purpose,
excepting those of the Fire Department for fire use, the Utility may grant a permit
containing such terms and conditions as it may provide, including arrangements
regarding supervision of the opening and closing of the hydrant, and a service charge for
commercial consumers of $60.00 for connection and disconnection and a consumption
charge for the amount of water used, as estimated by the water utility, at meter
consumption rates.
7.
CHARGES FOR RE-ESTABLISHING WATER SERVICE
When water service has been suspended for any violation of the Rules and Regulations
of the Utility, such water service shall not be re-established until a reconnection charge of
$50.00 has been paid to the Utility. If reconnection is outside of regular working hours,
the charge is $200.00.
8.
CONNECTION FEE
The Utility shall charge a $50.00 fee for the creation of a water account, notwithstanding
the fact that no physical disconnection of the system may have occurred. This fee shall
be $200.00 if water is turned on after regular working hours of the Utility.
Document No. 271495
9.
DISCONNECTION FEE
Whenever a customer, for any reason requests that the water be turned off from any
premises, a charge of $50.00 shall be made for turning off the water, and no additional
charge shall be made for turning it on again when this is requested unless such request is
after regular working hours of the Utility when a fee of $200.00 shall apply.
10.
SPECIAL SERVICE CHARGE:
A special service charge of $50.00 ($200.00 if such work is performed after regular working
hours) shall be made to each customer receiving a necessary or requested service, such
as the shutting off or turning on of water service or other special services not provided for
elsewhere in the schedules or the rules and regulations. In the case where the shutting off
is requested because there is no operable shut off valve serving the dwelling, an isolation
valve must be installed.
11.
CHARGE FOR NON-NEGOTIABLE CHEQUES
The Utility may charge a $25.00 administration fee plus any additional bank fees charged
by the bank for cheques that, due to non-negotiability, have been rejected by the Utility's
bank.
12.
CHARGE FOR MISSED APPOINTMENT BY CUSTOMERS
Where an appointment has been made by a customer to have a water service hooked up
or a meter inspected, or water turned on to a property, or other visits to the property for
the inception or maintenance of water service to the property, and the customer fails to
keep the appointment or the plumbing is not completed to allow for installation of a water
meter and the Utility's staff have to return to the property, there may be a charge of
$25.00 for each visit if, in the judgment of the Utility, it is required.
Document No. 271495
SCHEDULE"B"
TOWN OF MAHONE BAY WATER UTILITY
SCHEDULE OF RATES FOR WATER AND WATER SERVICES
(Effective for water supplied on and after 1 April 2020)
RATES
The rates set out below are the rates approved by the Board for water and water services when
payment is made within 30 days from the date rendered as shown on the bill.
When payment is made after 30 days from the date rendered as shown on the bill, the rates will
include interest charges of 1.25 % per month, or part thereof.
Each bill shall show the amount payable within 30 days from the date rendered as shown on the
bill.
In this Schedule, the word "Utility" means the Water Utility of the Town of Mahone Bay.
1. RATES:
(a)
Base Charges
Bi Monthly
Monthly
Unmetered (based on 4360 gallons bimonthly)
144.09
72.04
Size of Meter
5/8"
3/4"
77.57
113.80
186.26
367.40
584.78
1,164.44
1,816.56
3,628.00
38.79
56.90
93.13
183.70
292.39
582.22
908.28
1.5'
2"
3"
4"
6"
1,814.00
(b) Consumption Rate
$
15.26 per 1000 gallons
(c) Minimum Bill
The minimum bill shall be the Base Charge.
Document No. 271495
2.
PUBLIC FIRE PROTECTION RATE
The Town of Mahone Bay shall pay annually to the water utility for fire protection on or
before September 30, 2020 the sum of $174,663.
3.
RATES FOR SPRINKLER SERVICE
Each building having a sprinkler system installed shall pay annually for the service as
follows:
Each building serviced by a sprinkler service
pipe of 6" or less in diameter
$200.00
Each building serviced by a sprinkler service
pipe of 8" or more in diameter
$250.00
4.
WATER FOR BUILDINGS OR WORKS UNDER CONSTRUCTION
The Utility may furnish water to any person requiring a supply thereof for the
construction of a building or other works. This person shall deposit with the Utility such
sum as may be determined by the Utility as is sufficient to defray the cost of making the
necessary connection to any water service or main together with the cost of the meter to
be installed to measure the water consumed. Upon completion of the work and the
return of the meter to the Utility, a refund will be made after deducting the cost, if any, of
repairing the meter and of testing the same and payment of the base and connection
charges and the consumption rates in respect to such installation.
5.
PRIVATE HYDRANT RATES
Per hydrant per year $200.00.
6.
RATES FOR WATER SUPPLIED FROM FIRE HYDRANTS
Whenever the use of any fire hydrant is desired for supplying water for any purpose,
excepting those of the Fire Department for fire use, the Utility may grant a permit
containing such terms and conditions as it may provide, including arrangements
regarding supervision of the opening and closing of the hydrant, and a service charge for
commercial consumers of $60.00 for connection and disconnection and a consumption
charge for the amount of water used, as estimated by the water utility, at meter
consumption rates.
7.
CHARGES FOR RE-ESTABLISHING WATER SERVICE
When water service has been suspended for any violation of the Rules and Regulations
of the Utility, such water service shall not be re-established until a reconnection charge
of $50.00 has been paid to the Utility. If reconnection is outside of regular working hours,
the charge is $200.00.
Document No. 271495
8.
CONNECTION FEE
The Utility shall charge a $50.00 fee for the creation of a water account, notwithstanding
the fact that no physical disconnection of the system may have occurred. This fee shall
be $200.00 if water is turned on after regular working hours of the Utility.
9.
DISCONNECTION FEE
Whenever a customer, for any reason requests that the water be turned off from any
premises, a charge of $50.00 shall be made for turning off the water, and no additional
charge shall be made for turning it on again when this is requested unless such request
is after regular working hours of the Utility when a fee of $200.00 shall apply.
10.
SPECIAL SERVICE CHARGE:
A special service charge of $50.00 ($200.00 if such work is performed after regular
working hours) shall be made to each customer receiving a necessary or requested
service, such as the shutting off or turning on of water service or other special services
not provided for elsewhere in the schedules or the rules and regulations. In the case
where the shutting off is requested because there is no operable shut off valve serving the
dwelling, an isolation valve must be installed.
11.
CHARGE FOR NON-NEGOTIABLE CHEQUES
The Utility may charge a $25.00 administration fee plus any additional bank fees charged
by the bank for cheques that, due to non-negotiability, have been rejected by the Utility's
bank.
12.
CHARGE FOR MISSED APPOINTMENT BY CUSTOMERS
Where an appointment has been made by a customer to have a water service hooked
up or a meter inspected, or water turned on to a property, or other visits to the property
for the inception or maintenance of water service to the property, and the customer fails
to keep the appointment or the plumbing is not completed to allow for installation of a
water meter and the Utility's staff have to return to the property, there may be a charge
of $25.00 for each visit if, in the judgment of the Utility, it is required.
Document No. 271495
SCHEDULE"C"
TOWN OF MAHONE BAY WATER UTILITY
HEDULE OF RATES FOR WATER AND WATER SERVICES
(Effective for water supplied on and after 1 April 2021)
RATES
The rates set out below are the rates approved by the Board for water and water services when
payment is made within 30 days from the date rendered as shown on the bill.
When payment is made after 30 days from the date rendered as shown on the bill, the rates will
include interest charges of 1.25 % per month, or part thereof.
Each bill shall show the amount payable within 30 days from the date rendered as shown on the
bill.
In this Schedule, the word "Utility" means the Water Utility of the Town of Mahone Bay.
1. RATES:
(a) Base Charges
Bi Monthly
Monthly
Unmetered (based on 4360 gallons bimonthly)
148.60
74.30
Size of Meter
5/8"
3/4"
1"
1.5"
2"
3"
4"
6"
(b) Consumption Rate
$
79.72
39.86
116.97
58.48
191.46
95.73
377.68
188.84
601.15
300.57
1,197.06
598.53
1,867.47
933.73
3,729.70
1,864.85
15.80 per 1000 gallons
(c)
Minimum Bill
The minimum bill shall be the Base Charge.
Document No. 271495
2.
PUBLIC FIRE PROTECTION RATE
The Town of Mahone Bay to the water utility for fire protection on or before September
30, 2021 the sum of $180,479.
For subsequent years, the annual public fire protection rate shall be based on the above
or:
(a) the sum of 35.5 % of transmission and distribution, taxes and depreciation
expenses of the Utility and return on rate base of the immediately preceding
year, plus
(b) 10 % of all other expenses,
whichever is the greater.
3.
RATES FOR SPRINKLER SERVICE
Each building having a sprinkler system installed shall pay annually for the service as
follows:
Each building serviced by a sprinkler service
pipe of 6" or less in diameter
$200.00
Each building serviced by a sprinkler service
pipe of 8" or more in diameter
$250.00
4.
WATER FOR BUILDINGS OR WORKS UNDER CONSTRUCTION
The Utility may furnish water to any person requiring a supply thereof for the
construction of a building or other works. This person shall deposit with the Utility such
sum as may be determined by the Utility as is sufficient to defray the cost of making the
necessary connection to any water service or main together with the cost of the meter to
be installed to measure the water consumed. Upon completion of the work and the
return of the meter to the Utility, a refund will be made after deducting the cost, if any, of
repairing the meter and of testing the same and payment of the base and connection
charges and the consumption rates in respect to such installation.
5.
PRIVATE HYDRANT RATES
Per hydrant per year $200.00.
6.
RATES FOR WATER SUPPLIED FROM FIRE HYDRANTS
Whenever the use of any fire hydrant is desired for supplying water for any purpose,
excepting those of the Fire Department for fire use, the Utility may grant a permit
containing such terms and conditions as it may provide, including arrangements
Document No. 271495
n
regarding supervision of the opening and closing of the hydrant, and a service charge for
commercial consumers of $60.00 for connection and disconnection and a consumption
charge for the amount of water used, as estimated by the water utility, at meter
consumption rates.
7.
CHARGES FOR RE-ESTABLISHING WATER SERVICE
When water service has been suspended for any violation of the Rules and Regulations
of the Utility, such water service shall not be re-established until a reconnection charge
of $50.00 has been paid to the Utility. If reconnection is outside of regular working hours,
the charge is $200.00.
8.
CONNECTION FEE
The Utility shall charge a $50.00 fee for the creation of a water account, notwithstanding
the fact that no physical disconnection of the system may have occurred. This fee shall
be $200.00 if water is turned on after regular working hours of the Utility.
9.
DISCONNECTION FEE
Whenever a customer, for any reason requests that the water be turned off from any
premises, a charge of $50.00 shall be made for turning off the water, and no additional
charge shall be made for turning it on again when this is requested unless such request
is after regular working hours of the Utility when a fee of $200.00 shall apply.
10.
SPECIAL SERVICE CHARGE:
A special service charge of $50.00 ($200.00 if such work is performed after regular
working hours) shall be made to each customer receiving a necessary or requested
service, such as the shutting off or turning on of water service or other special services
not provided for elsewhere in the schedules or the rules and regulations. In the case
where the shutting off is requested because there is no operable shut off valve serving the
dwelling, an isolation valve must be installed.
11.
CHARGE FOR NON-NEGOTIABLE CHEQUES
The Utility may charge a $25.00 administration fee plus any additional bank fees charged
by the bank for cheques that, due to non-negotiability, have been rejected by the Utility's
bank.
12.
CHARGE FOR MISSED APPOINTMENT BY CUSTOMERS
Where an appointment has been made by a customer to have a water service hooked
up or a meter inspected, or water turned on to a property, or other visits to the property
for the inception or maintenance of water service to the property, and the customer fails
to keep the appointment or the plumbing is not completed to allow for installation of a
Document No. 271495
water meter and the Utility's staff have to return to the property, there may be a charge
of $25.00 for each visit if, in the judgment of the Utility, it is required.
Document No. 271495
SCHEDULE"D"
TOWN OF MAHONE BAY WATER UTILITY
SCHEDULE OF RULES AND REGULATIONS
ING THE SUPPLY OF WATER AND WATER SERVICES
(Effective 1 November 2019)
1. In these Rules and regulations, unless the context otherwise requires, the expression:
"Town" means the Town of Mahone Bay
"Utility" means the Water Utility of the Town of Mahone Bay
"Customer" means a person, firm or corporation who, or which, contracts to be
supplied with water at a specific location or locations.
"Domestic Service" means the type of service supplied to the owner or the owner's
authorized agent or to the occupant or tenant of any space or area occupied for the
distinct purpose of a dwelling house, rooming house, apartment, flat, etc.
"Metered Rate Service" means that type of service charged for at metered rates.
Metered rate service is required for all new services
2. LIABILITY FOR PAYMENT OF WATER BILL: An agreement is deemed to exist between
a customer and the Utility for the supply of water service at such rates and in accordance
with these Regulations by virtue of:
a)
the customer applying for and receiving approval for water service;
b)
the customer consuming or paying for water service from the date that the
customer who is a party to an agreement pursuant to clause (a) (the customer of record)
moves out of the premises, in which case the customer of record shall remain jointly and
severally liable for the water service account up to the date the Utility is notified that the
customer of record wishes to terminate the supply of water service.
At the discretion of the Utility, a property owner who rents or leases a property or self
contained unit to a tenant or lessee may be required to open an account for the provision
of water at the property rented or leased.
c)
Any person, business or corporation that receives water service without the consent of the
Utility, shall be liable for the cost of such water service which cost shall be determined in the sole
discretion of the Utility based upon its reasonable estimate of the amount of water utilized.
Document No. 271495
3.
DEPOSITS: When required, an applicant for service shall deposit with the Utility a sum
equal to the estimated charges for such service for a period of six months. The estimated
charges will be based on the minimum bill for metered customers. This deposit shall be
held by the Utility as collateral security for the payment of the customer's bills, but is not
to be considered as a payment on account thereof. When the customer ceases to use
the service and discharges all of the customer's liability to the utility in respect of such
service, the deposit shall be returned to the customer with interest at the rate of 2% per
annum, not compounded.
4.
REFUSAL OF SERVICE: Service may be refused or suspended to any customer who
has failed to discharge all of the customer's liabilities to the Utility.
5.
BILLING: If a contract is entered into or terminated at any time other than a regular billing
date, the amount to be charged to the customer shall be the pro rata proportion to the next
billing date, of the regular service charge for the billing period, plus the consumption
charge, if any.
The Utility charges the base rate for the entire year for seasonal customers. The bi monthly
base rate charge will apply for each billing period regardless of water turn-offs.
6.
PAYMENT OF BILLS:
Bills shall be rendered to each customer at intervals of
approximately two months and are due and payable when rendered. Bills not paid within
30 days of the date rendered, shall incur an interest charge at the prescribed monthly rate
for each month or part thereof.
7.
ADJUSTMENT OF BILLS:
(a)
Where meters exist - If the seal of a meter is broken or if a meter does not register
correctly, the bill for that water service shall be estimated in accordance with the
best data available. Any customer desiring to question a water bill must do so in
writing within 30 days of the bill being rendered.
(b)
Customers Under billed - Should it be necessary for the Utility to make a billing
adjustment as a result of a customer being under billed for any reason, such
adjustment shall be retroactive for a maximum of four billing periods or one year,
whichever is the longest. Notwithstanding the above, in the event that a billing
adjustment is the result of the customer's illegal connection to the water system
or willful interference or damage of metering equipment (where they exist), the
billing adjustment in such circumstances will not be limited to one year or four
billing periods, but rather the customer shall be responsible for all payments of
such accounts from the date such illegal connection or interference to meter
equipment took place.
Document No. 271495
(c)
Customer Over billed - Notwithstanding 7 (a) above, in the event a customer has
been billed in error for a Service they did not receive, the Utility will reimburse such
customer the amount billed to and paid by the customer, together with interest
calculated as simple interest paid on savings accounts by the Utility's bank,
respecting the period during which the customer was incorrectly billed by the Utility,
such period not to exceed five years.
8.
ESTIMATED READINGS FOR BILLING PURPOSES - METERED CUSTOMERS: If the
Utility is unable to obtain a meter reading for billing purposes, after exercising due
diligence in the usual practice of meter reading, the bill for that service shall be estimated
in accordance with the best data available, subject, however, to the provision that in no
circumstance will an estimated reading be used for more than two (2) consecutive billing
periods. If an estimated bill is rendered for two (2) consecutive billing periods, the Utility
shall notify the customer by regular mail that arrangements must be made for the Utility to
obtain a reading and failing such arrangements, the Utility may suspend service until such
arrangements are made. When such meter reading has been obtained the previous
estimated bill or bills shall be adjusted accordingly.
9.
SUSPENSION OF SERVICE FOR NON PAYMENT BILLS: The Utility shall have the
right to enter onto customers' premises within reasonable hours to suspend service to
customers whose bills remain unpaid for more than forty calendar days after the date
rendered.
10.
WATER TO BE SUPPLIED BY METER: The Utility may at any time install a meter on the
premises of any customer. The Utility shall determine the size and type of meter to be
installed in each case. All meters shall be the property of the Utility.
11.
INSTALLATION AND REMOVAL OF METERS: Meters shall be installed and removed
only by employees or duly authorized representatives of the Utility and no other person
shall install, alter, change or remove a meter without the written permission of the Utility.
The plumbing and connections shall be properly prepared to receive the installation of such
meters to the approval of and without expense to the Utility.
12.
METER READERS: Each meter reader shall be provided with an official identification,
which he/she shall exhibit on request.
13.
ACCESS TO CUSTOMER'S PREMISES: Representatives of the Utility shall have right of
access to all parts of a customer's property or premises at all reasonable hours for the
purpose of inspecting any water pipes or fittings, or appliances, or discontinuing service, or
for the purpose of installing, removing, repairing, reading or inspecting meters. The Utility
shall have the right to suspend service to any customer who refuses such access.
Document No. 271495
14.
LOCATION OF METERS: The Utility shall have the right to refuse service to, or suspend
the service of, any customer who does not provide a place which, in the opinion of the
Utility, is suitable for the meter. It should be in the building served, at or near the point of
entry of the service pipe, in a place where it can be easily read and where it will not be
exposed to freezing temperatures.
Where the premises of a customer are of such a nature that a meter cannot be properly
installed in a building or if the building is not sufficiently frost-proof as to guarantee the
safety of the meter, the Utility may order the construction of a suitable frost-proof box in
which the meter can be installed. Service to such premises may be refused or suspended
until such a frost-proof box approved by the Utility is installed.
15.
DAMAGE TO WATER METERS:
Each customer shall be responsible for the meter
installed on the customer's service and shall protect it. He shall be liable for any damage
to the meter resulting from carelessness, hot water or steam, or the action of frost or from
any other cause not the fault of the Utility or its employees. The cost to the Utility
occasioned by such damage to the meter shall be paid by the customer. If after the
rendering of a bill by the Utility to the customer for such cost the same is not paid within 40
days from the date rendered, the supply of water to the customer concerned may be
suspended until all charges are paid.
16.
METER TESTING. On the request to have their meter tested, the Utility may charge the
sum of $50.00 to defray, in part, the cost of making the test for meters up to 1 14 inch in
size. In the case of meters 1-1/2 inches and larger, the actual cost of the test will be paid
by the customer. If the test shows that the meter is over registering by more than one and
one half percent (114%) for positive displacement meters and three percent (3%) for turbine
or compound meters, the sum so deposited will be refunded to the customer.
17.
PLUMBING TO BE SATISFACTORY: All plumbing, pipes and fittings, fixtures, and other
devices for conveying, distributing, controlling, or utilizing water which are used by a
customer and are not the property of the Utility, shall be installed in the manner provided
by the Regulations of and be approved by the proper official of the Town and/or the
operators of the Utility. The water shall not be turned on (except for construction or testing
purposes) until the applicant for service has satisfied the Utility that these requirements
have been met. The supply of water may be discontinued to any customer at any time if,
in the opinion of the proper official of the Town and/or the operator of the Utility, the
plumbing, pipes, fittings, fixtures, or other devices as hereinbefore mentioned, or any of
them, fail to comply with the above requirements, or if any part of the water system of such
customer or the meter is in any unsuitable, dirty, unsanitary or inaccessible place. Service
shall not be re-established until such condition is corrected to the satisfaction of the Utility.
18.
REMOTE REGISTERING WATER METERS: When a remote registering water meter is
installed on a customer's premises under a general outside register installation program of
the Utility, then the cost of the meter and its installation shall be paid by the Utility. The
meter shall become the property of the Utility which shall become responsible for its
operation, maintenance and replacement. Any damage to the meter caused by the
Document No. 271495
negligence or wrongful acts or omissions by the customer, the customer's agents or
members of the customer's family, shall be paid for by the customer, and the failure by the
customer to make the payment shall entitle the Utility, after making a forty day written
demand for the payment, to disconnect the water service to the customer.
19. CROSS CONNECTION CONTROL & BACKFLOW PREVENTION:
(a) No owner, consumer, customer or other person hereinafter collectively referred to in
this rule and regulation as "person" shall connect, cause to be connected, or allow to
remain connected to the water system, or plumbing installation, without the express written
consent of the Utility, any piping fixtures, fittings container or appliance in a manner which,
under any circumstances, may allow water, wastewater, or any other liquid, chemical or
substance, to ingress or egress the water system.
(b) Where, in the opinion of the Utility, there may be a risk of contamination to the potable
water system, notwithstanding the provisions of subparagraph (a), the Utility may require
the customer, at the customers sole cost and expense, to install at any point on the
customers water service connection or water service pipe, one or more backflow
prevention (BFP) devices, which devices shall be of a quality and type approved by the
Utility.
(c) All BFP devices shall be maintained in good working order. Such devices must be
inspected and tested by a certified tester, approved by the Utility, at the expense of the
customer. Such inspections shall take place upon installation, and thereafter annually, or
more often if required by the Utility. The customer shall submit a report in a form approved
by the Utility on any or all tests performed on a BFP device within 30 days of a test. A
record card shall be displayed on or adjacent to the BFP device on which the tester shall
record the name and address of the owner of the device; the location, type, manufacturer,
serial number and size of the device; and the test date, the tester's initials, the tester's
name, the name of the tester's employer, and the tester's license number.
(d) Installation, maintenance, field-testing and selection of all BFP devices shall fully
conform to the latest revision of CSA B64.10 and CSA B64 series.
(e) In the event of any breach, contravention or non-compliance by a person of any of the
provision and regulations in a sub-paragraphs (a),(b),(c) or (d) the Utility may:
(i) suspend water service to such person, or
(ii) give notice to the person to correct the breach, contravention or non-compliance
within 96 hours, or a specified lesser period. If the person fails to comply with such
notice, the Utility may immediately thereafter suspend water service to such person.
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20.
DANGEROUS CONNECTIONS. No connection shall be permitted to any installation;
equipment or source in such a manner as may allow any contamination to pass from such
installation, equipment or source into the Utility's water supply system. If any such
connection exists the Utility may discontinue the supply of water to such customer.
21.
PROHIBITED DEVICES: Service may be refused or suspended by the Utility to any
customer who installs or uses any device or appurtenance, as, for example, booster pumps,
quick-opening or quick-closing valves, flushometers, water operated pumps or siphons,
standpipes, or large outlets for supplying locomotives or ships, etc., which may occasion
sudden large demands of short or long duration, thereby requiring oversize meters and
pipe lines, or affect the stability or regulation of water pressure in the Utility's system.
Permission to install or use any such device or appurtenance must be obtained from the
Utility, which permission shall specify what special arrangements, such as elevated storage
tanks, surge tanks or equalizing tanks, etc., must be provided by the customer.
22.
IMPROPER USE OR WASTE OF WATER: No customer shall permit the improper use or
waste of water, such as providing water to more than one single family dwelling and /or
apartment building from a single service, nor shall he sell or give water to any person except
upon such conditions and for such purposes as may be approved in writing by the Utility.
23.
SERVICE PIPES: Upon receipt of an application for service to any premises located on
any portion of a street through which portion a main water pipe is laid and which premises
are not already provided with water service, the Utility shall install a service pipe which it
considers to be of suitable size and capacity from the water main to the street line. No pipe
smaller than 3/4" in diameter shall be laid for any service.
The Utility shall supply and install the 3/4" service pipe and fittings between the main pipe
and the street line. The necessary excavation for the installation of the service pipe,
backfilling and replacement of the street and sidewalk surfaces from the water main in the
street to the street-line shall be carried out by the Utility and paid for by the applicant. The
applicant shall be responsible for the excavation and the supply and installation of the
service pipe including restoration from the street-line to the premise and all such work shall
be carried out without cost to the Utility.
For services larger than 3/4" the whole cost shall be borne by the customer, less the cost
of a 3/4" service from the main to the street line.
Should any person make application for more than one service to the applicant's premises,
the decision as to the necessity of the additional service shall be made by the Utility, and if
the additional service is installed, the total cost thereof from the main to the customer's
premises shall be paid by such applicant.
All services must be installed in accordance with the Rules and Regulations of the Town
and to the satisfaction of the Utility.
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When a service has been installed without objection from the customer as to the location
of the same, no subsequent removal of or alteration to the position of the pipe shall be
made except at the expense of the customer requesting such removal or alteration.
24.
REPAIRS TO SERVICES: If a leak or other trouble occurs it shall be repaired as soon as
possible. If the leak or trouble occurs in a service line providing non-fire protection water
supplies between the main and the property line it shall be repaired by the Utility at its
expense. If the leak or trouble occurs elsewhere in a service line providing non-fire
protection water supplies, it shall be repaired by the customer at his/her expense.
If the leak or trouble occurs in a service line which provides private fire protection services
(sprinkler or hydrant) it shall be repaired by the customer at his/her expense.
The Utility may make such repairs for any customer provided the customer agrees to pay
the cost of same. When required, each customer desiring the Utility to do such work shall
deposit with the Utility a sum equal to the estimated cost of the work.
If a leak occurs on the customer's portion of his/her service pipe and, after being notified of
same, he refuses or unduly delays to have repairs made, the Utility may discontinue the
supply of water to such service pipe if, in its opinion, such action is necessary in order to
prevent wastage of water. The Utility shall notify the customer affected of its intention to
discontinue such supply.
25.
UNAUTHORIZED EXTENSIONS. ADDITIONS OR CONNECTIONS: No person shall,
without the written consent of the Utility, make or cause to be made any connections to any
pipe or main or any part of the water system or in any way obtain or use water therefrom
in any manner other than as set out in these Regulations.
26.
SEASON FOR LAYING PIPES: The Utility shall not be required to lay any pipe at any
season of the year or at any time which, in its opinion, is not suitable.
27.
PRIVATE FIRE PROTECTION: Fire protection lines within buildings shall be installed so
that all pipes will be open and readily accessible for inspection at any time, and no
connection for any purpose other than fire protection shall be made thereto. Unless
approved by the Utility in writing, no fire protection line shall be connected in any way to a
metered service.
28.
LIABILITY OF UTILITY: The Utility shall not be deemed to guarantee an uninterrupted
supply or a sufficient or uniform pressure and shall not be liable for any damage or injury
caused or done by reason of the interruption of supply, variation of pressure or on account
of the turning off or turning on of the water for any purpose.
29.
INTERFERENCE WITH UTILITY PROPERTY: No person, unless authorized by the Utility
in writing, shall draw water from, open, close, cut, break, or in any way injure or interfere
with any fire hydrant, water main, water pipe, or any property of the Utility or obstruct the
free access to any hydrant, stop cock, meter, building, etc., provided, however, that nothing
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in this paragraph contained shall be deemed to prevent an officer or member of the Fire
Department engaged in the work of such Department, from using any hydrant or other
source of water supply of the Utility for such purpose.
30.
SUSPENDING SERVICE FOR VIOLATION: Whenever, in the opinion of the Utility,
violation of any of these Rules and Regulations is existing or has occurred, the Utility may
cause the water service to be suspended from the premises where such violation has
occurred or is existing and may keep the same so suspended until satisfied that the cause
for such action has been removed.
31.
RESUMPTION OF SERVICE: In all cases where water service has been suspended for
violation of any of these rules, service shall not be restored until the cause for violation has
been removed.
32.
SPRINKLER SERVICE MAINS AND HYDRANT SYSTEM: The customer shall be
responsible for the cost of installing and maintaining a sprinkler service pipe from the main
in the street to the building. It shall include a proper size control valve so that the service
may be shut off if necessary. If requested by the applicant, a domestic service pipe may be
connected to the sprinkler service pipe, but only if it is connected outside the building
foundation wall and is provided with an approved shutoff valve located outside the building
to permit control of the domestic service pipe without the necessity to enter the building.
Before any domestic service pipe is connected to a sprinkler service pipe, the applicant
must obtain approval from the appropriate authority and provide the Utility with a certified
copy of such approval. The utility shall supervise the installation of same. When the private
fire protection system includes private hydrants, these hydrants must be flushed during the
Utility's regular flushing periods, under the supervision of the Utility's personnel. These
hydrants shall be maintained in a manner, or on a regular basis as approved by the Utility.
Fire protection lines within buildings shall be so installed that all pipes will be open and
readily accessible for inspection at any time and no connection other than for fire protection
shall be made thereto.
The location and spacing of hydrants in new construction shall be installed in accordance
with the Town of Mahone Bay's Subdivision Regulations. All hydrants in the water system,
including those on transmission mains, are available for fire protection.
33.
PRESSURE REDUCING VALVES: Where, in the opinion of the Utility, it is necessary for
proper water service, a customer shall install on the service pipe, between the meter and
the shut off valve on the supply side of the meter, a pressure reducing valve of a type
satisfactory to the Utility. The customer shall be responsible for the cost of installing and
maintaining the pressure reducing valve at all time.
Document No. 271495
34.
PRESSURE RELIEF VALVES: Whenever a pressure reducing valve has been installed by
a customer in accordance with Regulation 33, the customer shall, for his/her own safety
and protection, install on his/her hot water boiler and any other hot water heating device
connected to the building's plumbing system, a pressure relief valve of an approved type,
as well as an approved temperature limiting device. It shall be the customer's responsibility
to maintain and keep in service the pressure relief valve at all times.
35.
EXTENSIONS: Any owner of property situated on a street or highway in which no water
main has been laid (or where the main has been laid, but has not been extended to the
point opposite the owner's property), may make application to the Utility requesting
permission to have such a servicing extension carried out. The Utility would review the
application and either give approval in principle for the extension, or advise the property
owner that the extension is not feasible, and will provide the owner with the reason for
refusing permission.
After the Utility has applied for and received the approval of the NS Utility and Review
Board and approval in principle has been granted, the owner may sign a contract with the
Utility requesting that the Utility install the water extension at the owner's expense, or the
owner may have the water line extended by a private contractor approved by the Utility.
Where the latter is done, the extension must be designed and the construction supervised
by a registered professional engineer with the design being approved by the Utility.
In any event, the cost of the extension shall be paid fully by the owner and the ownership
of the water line shall be turned over to the Utility before any water services are connected
to the extended line.
After the water line has been turned over to the Utility, it shall become a part of the water
utility and all of these regulations affecting the operation of the Utility shall apply.
36.
DEPOSITS IN ADVANCE: When a customer requests the Utility to do work for which they
are required to pay and the Utility agrees to do the work, the Utility may require, before the
work is started, a sum of money equal to the Utility's estimate of the probable cost of said
work. When the actual cost is determined an adjustment in the payment shall be made.
Regular service shall not be established by the Utility until all charges are paid in full.
37.
CURB STOP/CONTROL VALVE SERVICE BOX: The curb stop/control valve service box
housing the customers control valve shall be exposed for access by the Utility at all times.
The Utility requires all curb stop/control valve service boxes and/or valves to be fully
exposed and adjusted to final landscape grade before the installation of a customer's water
meter. The customer shall not make any adjustments to the service box. Any adjustment
to the service box requested by the customer shall be carried out by the Utility and paid for
by the customer.
The customer shall ensure the curb stop/control valve service box and/or the valve box is
exposed at all times. In the event that the curb stop/control valve service box is buried,
paved over, back-filled or damaged as a result of carelessness, willful obstruction or any
other occurrence that, in the opinion of the Utility, results in the requirement for the Utility
Document No. 271495
to expose, re-expose, adjust or repair the curb stop /control valve service box, it shall be
at the customer's expense. The Utility may undertake such activities as it deems
necessary to gain access to the premises curb stop/control valve service box without
expense to the Utility. When such action is undertaken, the reinstatement of the road,
right-of-way, driveway, sidewalk, curb or landscape will be charged back to the customer
if such activity is undertaken by the Utility.
38. WATER CONSERVATION DIRECTIVES: The Utility may enact conservation of water
directives to its customers if in the opinion of the Utility such directives will permit the Utility
to provide a reliable, continuous water supply to all customers served by the Utility. During
such times as these directives may be enacted, customers who do not comply with the
directives may have their water supply suspended until the customer agrees to comply with
the directive or upon suspension of the water conservation directive, whichever occurs first.
In the event that the water is temporarily suspended for non-compliance of a water
conservation directive, the cost of turning on the service will be billed to the customer.
Document No. 271495